Introduction 

Your mission, if you so choose, is to create an ecologically balanced pond for your yardscape or home.

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The mission will be considered complete when the following parameters are accomplished: 

• On a sheet of paper make a sketch of the pond layout using a two or three-dimensional illustration.
• Compute the total pond volume and surface area.
• Determine rock type and total amount in tons needed to cover the total surface area of the pond.  Visit Mike or Rita at Ground Effects on Route 47 in Yorkville, IL for samples.
• Based on the pond size select a filtration system to create an ecologically balanced environment.
• Determine the type of plant life as well as quantity of plant life needed to oxygenate the water and consume the algae within the eco-system.  Possibly include wildlife such as frogs or fish.

When the MISSION is complete, the group will present to the class the final product illustrating the time and effort put forth to make this mission a reality.

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Extra Agents  (Resources)

The following are possible links to use to complete your mission, yet do not, limit yourself to these.  The mission will become clearer as you choose the roads that are not heavily traveled.

Burns Water Gardens

Still Pond Farm

Waterford Gardens

Blue Iris Water Gardens
 
 

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1.   Assembly the group into teams of two or three agents.

2.   Determine if the pond will have only plant life or plant and fish life within the system.

3.   Determine the size, including depth, and shape of the pond.  Remember their are few straight lines in nature.

4.   Make a sketch on graph paper or on the computer of the pond structure.  Illustrate the filtration system, rock formation, and plant placement.  Remember to assign a scale to the drawing. 

5.   Create a worksheet listing all needed materials, including but not limited to; type, quantity, cost/unit, total cost.

6.   Develop a resource page

7.   Create a presentation illustrating the completed mission.

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The  team will receive a group grade based on the following rubric.  A team is only successful when all members of the team assume a role and put forth their best effort.
 

	DOA     1	MIA     2	VETERAN     3	PURPLE HEART WINNER 4	Score
Sketch of Pond	Two-dimensional drawing on graph paper in one color.	Two-dimensional colored drawing of pond with three or less basic components	Three-dimensional color scaled drawing on graph paper illustrating all the basic  components of a pond.	Three-dimensional computer generated scaled diagram illustrating,  plant, fish, filtration system, and rock formation
Materials Worksheet	Worksheet is hand written on a sheet of notebook paper with out using any headings	Worksheet is hand written on a sheet using three or fewer required headings	Worksheet is typed with headings of material type, quantity, cost/unit, and total cost	Worksheet is a computer generated spreadsheet with headings of material type, quantity, cost/unit, and total cost
Class Presentation	Oral presentation using no visual aides	Poster presentation illustrating, sketch, materials list, and resource page	Overhead presentation illustrating, sketch, materials list, and resource page	Power Point presentation illustrating, sketch, materials list, and resource page
Resource Page	Hand written page with two or less resources	Typed page listing one resource from at least three of the required areas.	Typed page listing two resources from at least three of the required areas.	Typed page with at least two reources  for filtration systems, hard landscape materials, plant life, and fish life.
Creativity	Design is oval or kidney shaped	Design incorporates a waterfall or stream	Design includes waterfall, stream, fish, plant life, and rock formation.	Design includes a waterfall, stream, rock formation, and multiple levels of water movement as well as landscape plan surrounding the pond.

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Conclusion

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Sketch from Natural Water Gardens
Animated Gifs by Mary (Garren) Morand
 

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